We are pleased to announce the winners of our latest Trade Nation Bowl Out competition which launched ahead of the new season with a chance for supporters to win a number of great prizes!
Jamie Porter, Matt Quinn, Sam Cook & Ben Allison went head-to-head in the competition with Aaron Beard taking up umpire duties after missing out through injury. As well as bragging rights, each bowler was also representing their own chosen charity with the winner receiving a £500 donation courtesy of Trade Nation.
The Rules
• Supporters were invited to enter the competition and pick one of the four bowlers who they thought would hit the most TN prize balls.
• Each bowler had four chances to hit one of the hanging TN prize balls which each contained a prize.
• If their chosen bowler hit a TN prize ball, they picked one of the entries at random to win that prize from those who voted for them.
• Over to the bowlers…
Watch the full video now to find out if you were one of the lucky winners and see who was crowned King of the Trade Nation Bowl Out.
Players Charities
• Ben Allison (Aaron Beard Replacement) – Essex & Herts Air Ambulance
• Jamie Porter – Great Ormond Street Hospital
• Sam Cook – Together for short lives
• Matt Quinn – Special Effect
Prize Winners
• Andrew Fernandes – Dinner for 4 at Tredwells, London
• David Allen – 60-inch TV
• Liam Bojas – Bose Headphones
• Maureen Dominey – Hospitality for 4 at Essex Cricket
• James Ellis – Apple iPad
• Victoria Law – Appl iPhone 12
• Malcolm Davey – 2021 Essex Membership
• Darren Hales – Essex Shirt/Trainingwear Bundle
Look out for further opportunities to win some great prizes this season across essexcricket.org.uk and our social media channels…
You can find out more about our partnership with Trade Nation and Trading – here.
The first of three back-to-back games on the road started with a trip to Edgbaston in the LV= Insurance County Championship.
With a target of 256 set by Essex after heroics with the bat from Simon Harmer, Warwickshire’s Rob Yates struck a century to help the hosts to their target with 8 balls remaining.
The Club’s official photographer, Nick Wood covered the match and you can view the game through his camera lens via our Match Gallery.
Scroll through the images and hit the i for further information.
Warwickshire: Will Rhodes (c), Rob Yates, Sam Hain, Hanuma Vihari, Michael Lamb, Michael Burgess (wk), Tim Bresnan, Craig Miles, Olly Stone, Danny Briggs, Oliver Hannon-Dalby.
Essex: Alastair Cook, Nick Browne, Tom Westley (c), Dan Lawrence, Paul Walter, Ryan ten Doeschate, Adam Wheater (wk), Simon Harmer, Peter Siddle, Sam Cook, Jamie Porter.
Match Details:
Umpires: Mike Burns & Alex Wharf Toss: Essex won and elected to bat first Result: Warwickshire won by 7 wickets
Day Four Highlights:
Day Four Reaction: Anthony McGrath
Day Four Match Report:
Essex suffered their first defeat in 22 Championship and Bob Willis Trophy matches when they were beaten by Warwickshire at Edgbaston where the home side chased down a target of 256 for victory with 7 wickets and 8 balls to spare.
21-year-old opener Rob Yates scored an unbeaten 120 and featured in defining century partnerships for the second and third wickets with Hanuma Vihari and Sam Hain, both of whom contributed half-centuries.
To underline the lack of assistance for bowlers throughout the final day, neither Simon Harmer nor Peter Siddle was able to take a wicket despite sending down 32 and 14 overs respectively.
Harmer started the day with the bat as Essex resumed on 213-9 and occupied the crease for a further 12 overs adding another 18 to his overnight score to reach 82 before Jamie Porter was leg before to Danny Briggs for 11 with the visitors dismissed for 244.
That left Warwickshire a minimum of 82 overs t and there was early encouragement for their opponents when Will Rhodes edged to Adam Wheater for 11 in Sam Cook’s second over.
But Indian Test batsman Vihari joined forces with Yates to excellent effect and by mid-afternoon, the Bears were already eyeing a second successive victory in this year’s Championship when well placed at 96-1.
Yates and Vihari, in total command by now, brought up their century partnership in 209 balls and soon after, both batsmen reached well-fashioned fifties, Yates from 111 balls whilst his partner needed two more deliveries to reach the milestone.
Meanwhile, skipper Tom Westley rang the changes particularly at the Birmingham End as he attempted to find the key to break the partnership and he finally found the answer in Paul Walter.
With Vihari having posted 52 out of the 126 total, the all-rounder found the bottom edge of Vihari’s bat with a left arm over the wicket delivery to give Wheater a catch and Essex a glimmer of hope.
By Tea, Warwickshire had advanced to 140-2 needing a further 116 from a minimum of 34 overs.
Essex had squeezed the run-rate for a period in the afternoon session but with wickets in hand and Yates well set, it was always going to be an uphill struggle for the County Champions to maintain their impressive unbeaten run going back to April 2019.
Harmer, who sent down 25 successive overs from the Pavilion End, was eventually given a break to be replaced by Dan Lawrence but when the last hour commenced, the home side required just 68 more runs with 16 overs remaining and Yates and now Hain dominant.
Harmer eventually returned to the attack but Yates and Hain continued to bear down on the target at the required rate.
Hain struck Porter over the ropes on the shorter side of the playing area, a stroke that also completed his own half-century made from 114 balls and including six other boundaries.
With four overs remaining, just 14 were needed and once again, Walter answered Westley’s call for a breakthrough when he had Hain caught at deep fine leg for 60 to leave the hosts 244-3.
The second new ball was taken by Sam Cook with just 2 overs of the match remaining but Yates addressed any potential threat from the new cherry by smacking the first ball to the boundary and three balls later, he edged the ball past slip to complete victory.
Yates had batted for 5 hours and ten minutes collecting 1 six and 14 fours and played with a maturity belying his youthful years to guide his side through a well-placed run chase as Warwickshire collected 21 points from the match with Essex left with five.
Day Three Match Highlights:
Day Three Reaction: Tom Huggins
Day Three Match Report:
Simon Harmer has given Essex a fighting chance of pulling off their second win of the season in what has been a compelling match at Edgbaston.
The South African showed his all-round attributes by following up his four-wicket haul in the Warwickshire first innings with an unbeaten 62 as Essex reached the close on 213-9 and an overall lead of 224 runs.
The visitors were 93-6 when the 32-year-old joined Dan Lawrence in the middle but having taken the score onto 137, Lawrence was run out for 55 going for a quick single to the non-striker’s end.
Harmer though remained, defiant and formidable as the total steadily advanced with a 32 runs partnership with Peter Siddle, who made 20, and then 33 with Sam Cook, who scored 7 before he skied the ball to mid-wicket.
Now 202-9, further runs were added with the determined support of Jamie Porter who was 1 not out at the close but who had battled for 36 minutes in support of his colleague.
Harmer, who was struck on the helmet early in his innings by a ball from Craig Miles, pushed the singles and collected six boundaries in his 127-ball half-century, looked accomplished offering the home attack little encouragement.
Lawrence started the revival when steadying the ship with a 100-ball half-century. Never spectacular it was an important sedate rearguard response with wristy stroke play to ease the earlier worrying situation and, like Harmer’s contribution, could yet prove to be invaluable.
When Wheater made his way to the middle, Essex had lost half their side to lead by just 47 runs but the gutsy wicket-keeper batsman and Lawrence swelled the total by 57 runs until Wheater, who had looked in good nick, top-edged a pull shot and was caught at deep mid-wicket for 30 to give Miles a third wicket.
That brought Harmer back onto centre-stage to earn the plaudits taking Essex to a competitive total and set up the challenge of a fascinating final day’s play.
It had taken the visitors 11 overs to capture the remaining two Warwickshire wickets after the home side had resumed on 243-8 but in that time, they added a further 41 runs.
Overnight not out batsmen Danny Briggs and Miles continued to frustrate the opposition attack carrying their partnership to 66 in two hours before Porter earned his side their third bowling point when he pinned Miles in front of his stumps for 25, an innings that contained not a single boundary in the 95 deliveries he faced.
Briggs, whose effort revived the innings, who had only passed 50 twice in his 110 first-class visits to the crease, was left unbeaten on 66 when Harmer trapped Oliver Hannon-Dalby leg before to finish with 4 for 89 and leaving Essex with an overall advantage of 11 runs on first innings.
But in the remaining 14 overs before Lunch, the County Champions lurched from one setback to another as the Bears seamers made substantial inroads. Alastair Cook departed for 10, Tom Westley for 5, Nick Browne for 8 and then, to the last ball before the interval, Paul Walter for a single as Essex reached the interval on 25-4.
Miles was again to the fore, this time in his more recognised role with the ball as he and Hannon-Dalby shared the wickets. The latter had Cook picked up at cover point as the batsman went in search of his third boundary and found the edge to have Walter caught behind.
In between those two wickets, Miles, who had replaced Olly Stone, struck with his fourth ball when he had Westley caught at short mid-wicket and five balls later gained the verdict when Browne was struck on the pads.
Four wickets had fallen in 41 balls – the last three in 21 balls – to round off a forgettable session for the visitors.
Stone then added his name to the list of wicket-takers having Ryan ten Doeschate leg before for 7 as the visitors were left rocking at 36-5.
But one can never underestimate the character and determination of Anthony McGrath’s charges as Lawrence and Wheater started the fightback before Harmer continued the good work with a spirited performance.
Day Two Match Highlights:
Day Two Reaction: Anthony McGrath
Day Two Match Report:
Peter Siddle and Simon Harmer teamed up to bowl Essex into a good position in their LV= Insurance County Championship clash with Warwickshire at Edgbaston. At the close of an intriguing second day, the hosts were 243-8 with Danny Briggs unbeaten on 32 and Craig Miles 22 not out with Essex holding a lead of 52 runs.
Paceman Siddle, playing his first match of the season for the County Champions grabbed 3 for 52 whilst spin ace Harmer returned figures of 3 for 83.
Although several Warwickshire players batted resiliently, none were able to pass Matt Lamb’s top score of 47 as the four-pronged Essex attack ensured an uphill struggle for the home side.
Harmer beavered away at the Pavilion End asking a series of questions of the batsmen to gain his rewards for an enduring effort on a pitch that offered a modicum of assistance for the spinner. Siddle, typically, maintained an excellent line and length from the Birmingham End and took his first wicket of the term with the 11th delivery of the day.
Warwickshire, who resumed on 7 without loss, lost their first wicket when Sam Cook knocked back the off stump of Rob Yates. The left-hander had offered a sharp chance to Harmer at second slip off the bowling of Jamie Porter when the batsman had scored 3 but he added just one more run before Cook rearranged his stumps.
The introduction of Australian Siddle into the attack brought about the downfall of Bears Captain and opener Will Rhodes who dragged the ball onto his leg stump off an inside edge having scored 26 to leave his side 34-2.
Sam Hain and Indian international Hanuma Vihari teamed up but with just one run needed for a half-century partnership, Porter found the edge nine balls after lunch when Vihari flirted outside off to be caught for 32 by Adam Wheater.
Then Harmer made his presence felt bowling cannily by varying the length and flight to pick up the next three wickets.
Sam Hain, having played cautiously before showing fluidity to move to 36 opted to step down the wicket and was bowled through bat and pad and 10 runs later, the Bears lost their 5th wicket when an attempted sweep by Michael Burgess proved futile when he just stepped out of his ground to be stumped for 2 by the lightning-quick glovework from Wheater.
Former England and Yorkshire all-rounder Tim Bresnan joined Lamb but having contributed 21 out of 26, had his defences breached by a well-flighted Harmer delivery.
With Harmer and Siddle in harmony, the home side lost another wicket when Siddle trapped Olly Stone leg before for 16 to leave Warwickshire 186-7 and Essex eyeing a substantial first innings lead having been dismissed for 295 in their first innings.
Those hopes were enhanced with the departure of Lamb.
When the teams met at Edgbaston in 2019, Lamb turned his maiden first-class century into a seven-hour marathon that eventually saw him out for 173. This time around, he attempted to hold the innings together having batted for 2 hours and 26 minutes when he was bowled by a beauty from Siddle that swung into the batsman and collected leg stump with Lamb 3 runs short of a half-century.
Now 193-8, the visitors were held up by a determined effort between Danny Briggs and Craig Miles that kept the innings afloat.
Despite taking the second new ball immediately when it became available at 204-8, the pair frustrated the visitors to reach an unbroken half-century liaison just before the close and panning 163 balls and 99 minutes.
Day One Match Highlights:
Day One Reaction: Nick Browne
Day One Match Report:
Nick Browne, Paul Walter and Ryan ten Doeschate all made half-centuries in the LV= Insurance County Championship contest with Warwickshire at Edgbaston where Essex were bowled out for 295 before their opponents reached 7 without loss in reply by the close.
Browne and Walter were models of patience and were rewarded for the vigilance whilst ten Doeschate added quick runs in the last session as Warwickshire clawed their way back by taking 7 wickets for 109 runs after tea.
Browne dropped anchor and used a simple approach leaving alone balls outside the off-stump whilst treating the more worthy deliveries with selective stroke play.
Walter too played with calm authority showing a faultless attitude with high levels of concentration. Browne, who had batted throughout the first session for 20, was spilled without addition by second slip Sam Hain off Craig Miles but refused to be phased as the pair steadily wore down the Warwickshire attack.
Browne scored 68 and batted for four and a quarter hours whilst Walter reached 66 in 2 and three-quarter hours as the duo put on 114 for the fourth wicket to revive the fortunes of the County Champions who were 72 for 3 when the pair came together.
Although diligence was the key word to the combined effort, both did produce some fine examples of immaculately-timed drives to nurture the innings.
On a cloudless day at sun-bathed Edgbaston, Alastair Cook was the aggressor in an opening partnership worth 55 in just over an hour and his spirited innings included a pull for 6 when paceman Olly Stone dug a ball in short.
Cook scored 13 of the opening 14 runs that included 3 boundaries. In contrast, Browne was happy to play a watchful role spending 22 balls before he got his score moving.
His opening partner though continued his robust attack exemplified when he collected three boundaries in one over from Craig Miles, the second of which brought up the half-century stand in 57 minutes.
But the former Gloucestershire medium-pacer was to exact revenge in his next over when he had Cook caught behind for 46 with a ball the held its line before finding the edge of the bat.
Right-armer Miles soon added another scalp, this time Tom Westley who had just got off the mark with a boundary through mid-wicket when he was struck on the pads with a ball that angled into him. That left Miles reflecting on figures of 2 for 16 from 3.2 overs.
And 63 for 2 became 72 for 3 with the departure of Dan Lawrence for 5 when he steered a delivery from Stone, that pitched leg side, to mid-wicket where matt Lamb completed a diving catch. Lawrence briefly stood in disbelief at the soft manner of his dismissal.
But Browne and Walter dug in.
They batted throughout the afternoon session adding 105 runs between the two intervals during which both posted half-centuries. Browne’s first half-century of the summer – and first in 12 innings – arrived when the opener struck the third of four boundaries in one Tim Bresnan over. He had faced 136 balls that included 10 fours.
Then Walter reached the milestone when he gathered a couple of runs against the spin of Danny Briggs steering the ball past slip. His innings had spanned 108 balls with 8 fours at that stage and in the next over, the pair of left-handers completed their century partnership, one that spanned 202 balls and completed with a boundary by Walter off Will Rhodes.
A hostile spell by Olly Stone accounted for both in 14 deliveries immediately after tea. With the second ball of the final session, he produced a ball that left Browne who edged behind with the score on 186. The 11 runs later, he produced a ball that rose sharply on Walter who could only help it on its way to third man where Hanum Vihari dived forward to take the catch.
Ten Doeschate was joined by Adam Wheater who opened his account by hooking Stone over the boundary. Typically, they played with some tempo, but the second new ball brought the home side right back into the match.
Wheater was the first to go, having scored 23, when he became another Stone victim when the bowler found the outside edge to give wicket-keeper Burgess his third catch to leave Essex 243 for six and the bowler with figures of 4 for 59.
That was with the fourth delivery of the new ball and Hannon-Dalby was to bring about a swift conclusion to the innings with his personal contribution of 4 wickets in 26 balls at a cost of 17 runs.
Simon Harmer stepped across his stumps and was lbw without score, Peter Siddle lost his off stump for 14, Sam Cook edged to second slip for 6 before ten Doeschate, who had lost partners rapidly, had taken his score to 56 when he was last out attempting to cut and was caught at gully.
It had been an enterprising knock from ten Doeschate who struck the ball cleanly and scored freely as he exploited the short boundary on one side of the ground to good effect. He reached his fifty from 57 balls with a 6 and a 4 from successive Stone deliveries before his 62-ball innings that embraced 8 fours and a six was concluded by Hannon-Dalby.
Left with 4 overs to face, the home side safely avoided any incursions against new ball pair Porter and Cook. Will Rhodes will resume on the morning with 7 to his name whilst Rob Yates has yet to get off the mark.
Essex made one change from the side that prevailed against Durham with Australian fast-medium paceman Peter Siddle replacing Ben Allison.
Essex 2nd XI: Varun Chopra, Will Buttleman (wk), Michael Pepper (c), Feroze Khushi, Josh Rymell, Robin Das, Joe MacGregor, Aaron Beard, Shane Snater, Jack Plom, Matt Quinn.
Other players used: Aron Nijjar, Eshun Kalley.
Surrey 2nd XI: Laurie Evans, Ryan Patel (c), Will Jacks, Nico Reifer, Justin Broad, Ben Geddes, Liam Plunkett, George Ealham, Conor McKerr, Daniel Moriarty, James Taylor.
Other players used: Billy Mead (wk).
Match Details:
Umpires: Robert White and Gary Marshall Toss: Surrey 2nd XI won and elected to bat first Result: Essex 2nd XI won by an innings and 150 runs
The Essex Second XI returned to action at Billericay and recorded a sizable Championship victory over a Surrey side which included England 2019 World Cup winner, Liam Plunkett.
Matt Quinn and Shane Snater starred with the ball, with Quinn claiming 4/37 and Snater taking 3/36 as Surrey were dismissed for 231 in their first innings. Aaron Beard was also amongst the wickets, with 2/45, whilst Ben Geddes top-scored for the visitors, hitting 68 off 160 deliveries, a knock which included ten boundaries.
The home side took complete control with Varun Chopra and Will Buttleman both reaching three figures. Chopra hit 109 off 205 deliveries, while wicket-keeper batsman Buttleman reached 112 during his 338 minutes in the middle, which also coincided with his 21st birthday.
Beard rattled 78, while Michael Pepper and Josh Rymell chipped in with 77 and 64 respectively before Essex made the declaration having amassed 581 runs, holding a lead of 350. Daniel Moriarty was the standout bowler for the visitors, with figures of 4/159 as the Surrey attack were given plenty to think about.
Essex got the job done bowling out Surrey for 200, with Quinn taking his match figures to 7/85 and Snater 6/62. Visiting skipper Ryan Patel offered some resistance with 74 off 147, while Conor McKerr was unbeaten on 58. But with those around them falling relatively cheaply, the result never really looked in doubt.
Essex return to Second XI County Championship action on Monday 03 May when Yorkshire are the visitors to Billericay Cricket Club in a fixture to be played behind closed doors.
LV= Insurance County Championship
Edgbaston
Thursday 22 – Sunday 25 April
11am start
The leading two sides in Group One of this year’s LV= Insurance County Championship lock horns this week when Essex travel to Edgbaston to face Warwickshire.
Essex will be boosted by the return of Australian bowler Peter Siddle. The popular paceman spent time with the Club in 2018, when he took 37 wickets in just seven matches and then in 2019 when he collected 34 wickets in eight games. Having finished playing for Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield back home, he is free to spend the remainder of the season with the County Champions.
Both the Bears and Essex currently have 32 points from their two matches after both recorded victories in their last round of matches. Warwickshire beat Nottinghamshire by 3 wickets at Trent Bridge whilst Essex recorded a 44 run victory over Durham to protect their unbeaten record in red-ball cricket on home soil.
Squad:
Watch: Siddle looks ahead to Warwickshire:
Injury/Absentees News:
Essex have named 13-man squad with Feroze Khushi and Peter Siddle added to the team that triumphed against Durham.
Aron Nijjar is still recovering from a shoulder injury but Aaron Beard is back in action following his groin strain and is currently playing against Surrey in a Second XI match.
Opposition:
Warwickshire are led by newly appointed Will Rhodes, but a host of familiar faces have gone through the exit doors at Edgbaston in recent times to be replaced by a crop of promising youngsters and more senior players, such as former England all-rounder Tim Bresnan and spinner Danny Briggs who joined for Yorkshire and Sussex respectively.
South African batsman Pieter Malan and Indian Test batsman Hanuma Vihari fill the two Overseas slots.
The home side have been dealt a blow with Dom Sibley expected to be sidelined for the next three weeks after fracturing a finger during the win against Nottinghamshire last week.
One to Watch:
Olly Stone started his professional career with Northamptonshire before moving to Warwickshire in 2016. In September 2018, he was named in England’s Test and ODI squads for the first time but injuries hampered his opportunities before he eventually made his full England debut last winter.
Head-to-Head:
The two teams last contested a red-ball affair back in September 2019 when the outcome at Edgbaston was a draw. Warwickshire scored 517 (Simon Harmer 6/143) before Essex replied with 324 and following-on 158-2.
Tom Westley was the star performer with the bat for Essex, scoring 141 in the first innings and 97 in the second.
In the 121 Championship clashes between the sides, Essex have secured 39 victories and 48 draws with 33 defeats and one match tied.
Potential Milestones:
Alastair Cook requires 31 runs to reach 9,000 first class runs for Essex.
Dan Lawrence requires 135 runs to reach 4,000 first-class runs for Essex.
Adam Wheater requires 83 runs to reach 3,000 first-class runs for Essex.
Jamie Porter requires 10 more wickets to record 350 first-class wickets for Essex.
How To Watch:
Our Live Stream service will be available across all four days of this game from 11am, which also includes player stats, scorecards and clips throughout the day. Access via the Essex Cricket Matchzone is available here.
Following the announcement of our partnership with IQONIQ as the Club’s Fan Engagement Partner, we are inviting Members and supporters to pre-register for access to our new app which will be launching this summer.
The IQONIQ Essex Cricket app will include exclusive player-related content, live scores, competitions, games, plus ways to earn loyalty tokens which can be used to unlock Essex prizes, tickets, and much more throughout the season.
Supporters who pre-register by Monday 10 May will be the first to hear about the app launch date plus entered into an IQONIQ prize draw for a chance to win Matchday Hospitality for our upcoming LV= Insurance County Championship home game against Warwickshire at The Cloudfm County Ground.
To find out more about the app features and be in with a chance to be one of the first fans back to The Cloudfm County Ground, pre-register for the IQONIQ app using the link below!
Find out more on our new partnership Iqoniq by visiting here
Essex Cricket are delighted to announce Woodland Group as the new front of shirt sponsor of the 2021 Vitality Blast campaign as part of a newly signed multi-year extension of their successful partnership.
The 2021 season marks the 10th anniversary of the partnership between the Club and the Chelmsford-based global supply chain company, with Woodland Group having featured on the 50-over shirt since 2013.
The long-standing relationship has witnessed a number of memorable moments in cricket, including the unforgettable 4 wickets in 4 balls from Graham Napier in 2013 and Alastair Cook’s Royal London One-Day Cup campaign in 2017, where he ended as the competition’s leading run-scorer.
10 Years of Essex Cricket & Woodland Group
Off the field, it has seen the partners align in their focus to connect with and assist the wider community, furthering youth engagement, making the sport accessible to a wider audience, and, most recently, delivering support to medical workers and response teams throughout the pandemic.
Essex Cricket Executive Chairman, John Faragher, said: “It is great to continue this important partnership with Woodland Group which has seen so many great memories shared over the past 10 years.
“Not only have they been unbelievable supporters of our success on the field but also a key part of our work in the community, including the Club’s work for the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re looking forward to another exciting campaign this season and are proud to have Woodland Group on the front of the Eagles’ Vitality Blast playing shirts as we look to emulate the triumphs we all enjoyed in 2019.”
Kevin Stevens, Woodland Group’s Chairman and CEO, commented: “Our shared values, passion for cricket and the sport’s role within the community were key drivers in us partnering with Essex Cricket 10 years ago. We’ve been part of significant change, development, and Club milestones since and are proud to be able to continue this close partnership.
“Essex Cricket has given our teams, partners, clients and the community unforgettable moments over the years and to now partner the 2021 Vitality Blast provides great opportunity to cement this successful relationship even further.”
Q: When will spectators be able to return to Chelmsford?
A: Essex County Cricket Club are being guided by the UK Government’s Roadmap. The UK Government Roadmap states that no spectators will be allowed to enter sporting venues any earlier than Monday 17 May.
Monday 17 May is the current date that the UK Government hopes to move to Stage Three of the Roadmap. Stage Three allows for spectators to return to sporting events, albeit at a very limited number. Essex Members will be given priority during this stage.
Monday 24 June is the current date that the UK Government hopes to move to Stage Four of the Roadmap. Stage Four will see the removal of all legal limits on social contact, paving the way for full crowds to return to sporting events.
Q: Can these dates change?
A: Yes. The Club are being guided by the UK Government Roadmap and all of the above dates are subject to change.
Q: What safety precautions are being put in place to welcome spectators back to The Cloud County Ground?
A: The Club are currently working with both the Local Safety Advisory Group and The ECB to develop the plans for safely getting spectators in, out and around The Cloud County Ground. This includes adherence to the ‘COVID-19 Spectator Code of Conduct’, staggered entry/exit times, a strict face mask policy, socially distanced seating and an increase in stadium facilities such as refreshment areas and toilets. More information on this will be communicated closer to Stage Three.
Q: During Stage Three, how many spectators will be permitted to attend games at The Cloud County Ground?
A: x200 LV= Insurance County Championship Days 1-3 / x600 Vitality Blast
The safe operating capacity of the ground with all social restrictions and COVID-19 protocols as set out by the Government has been worked out in accordance to The Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) calculations taking into account the local area and stadium itself. Due to the increased costs of operating in a COVID-19 secure manner, in the region of £15,000 per day, the Club has taken the decision to limit the capacity further to significantly reduce those costs on Championship games and not admit spectators on Day Four. Ticket holders for Stage Three fixtures will be sent details of their entry gate (and time if deemed applicable by the local authority and Safety Advisory Group (SAG)) and details of any other mitigation in place ahead of the matchday.
Q: How much is opening The Cloud County Ground during Stage Three going to cost?
A: The first estimates suggest that spectators returning to Chelmsford during Stage Three will cost £15,000 to £20,000 per day.
Q: How will the spectators be selected during Stage Three?
a: Attendance at Stage Three fixtures will be via a Member-only ballot. By now all Members should have received an email containing the link to the online ballot form. A paper copy has been supplied in the Membership guide
Q: When will we find out results of the ballot?
A: Successful Members will be sent tickets (LV= Insurance County Championship) or details of how to book discounted tickets for Vitality Blast after the Government have given the greenlight for Stage Three out of lockdown. The announcement is due on Monday 10 May and the ballot will be drawn shortly after this. Ballot entries can be made up until this date.
Q: How will social distancing be implemented and policed during Stage Three?
A detailed review of The Cloud County Ground has been carried out by The ECB and Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA), the results of which have been explained to the Club and outline how to operate whilst ensuring that all COVID-19 guidelines are met. Before the 2021 season commences, the Club will be communicating with Members on how to approach The Cloud County Ground on a match day, how to access their seats and use the facilities within the ground and how to safely leave the ground. The same number of stewards that would work during a sold-out game will also work at matches that fall during Stage Three to guarantee that social distancing and rules/regulations are maintained by all in attendance.
Q: Are the Club considering a vaccine passport policy?
A: The Club are currently discussing every possible method of making the ground operational for the 2021 season and will follow the UK Government guidelines regarding this subject. If a vaccine passport is a recommendation from the UK Government, then it will be implemented.
Q: Is there a Code of Conduct policy I can read before attending games?
Yes. You can read the Code of Conduct policy by clicking here. Adherence to the code of conduct is a pre-requisite for attendance at The Cloud County Ground during Stage Three. Before securing tickets, you will be asked if you have read and agree to the code of conduct. Stage Four may see some aspects relaxed in line with government and SGSA guidance and this will be confirmed nearer the time.
Ticketing:
Q: I am a Member, when can I apply to attend an LV= Insurance County Championship fixture that falls in Stage Three?
A: Members will have now received email correspondence regarding entering a ticket ballot for Stage Three fixtures. Information can also be found in the Membership Guide within the 2021 Membership Pack received after purchase.
Q: I am a Member, when can I apply to attend a Royal London Cup fixture that falls in Stage Four?
A: Stage Four guidance suggests that all social restrictions will be lifted in which case we are hopeful that Members can attend this format by producing their Membership card at the gate without need to pre-book. This is however subject to ‘Track and Trace’ protocols being relaxed. Details will be provided to Members once guidance from government and SGSA has been updated.
Q: When are Vitality Blast tickets going on sale?
A: The Club intends to go on sale with Vitality Blast matches that fall into the proposed Stage Four time period (from 21 June) during early April. Members will again receive a priority period for these tickets, and this will be communicated further over the coming weeks.
Q: When are Vitality Blast season tickets available?
A: Due to the capacity restrictions that will be faced for the first part of the competition we will not be selling season tickets for the Vitality Blast games held at Chelmsford for 2021.
Q: What are the groups of priority supporters for buying Vitality Blast tickets?
Priority Group One: 2021 Members
Priority Group Two: 2020 season ticket holders and ticket buyers
Priority Group Three: Over & Out! subscribers
If there are still tickets available after the priority period for Group Three finishes, these will be put on general sale.
Q: Can I select my own seat when buying Vitality Blast tickets?
For matches taking place during Stage Three of the Roadmap, Members will be able to select the stand and block that they are seated in, but not the actual seat itself. This is so the Club can ensure social distancing guidelines are met and maximise the number of ticket holders.
For matches taking place during Stage Four, Members and spectators will be able to use the seating plan to select their own seats. Please note that for all matches during Stage Four, The Cloud County Ground will be operating on an allocated seating policy until further notice.
Q: Can I buy multiple tickets per game?
A: Under Stage Three SGSA guidance all tickets will need to be assigned to an individual with those successful in the Member ballot receiving a ticket directly (Championship) or details of how to book (Vitality Blast).
Fixtures in Stage Four can have multiple tickets under a single purchaser however arrangements for ‘Test and Trace’ are part of the Government review before 21 June so guidelines may change
Q: When will my tickets arrive?
In order to meet government and SGSA guidance the Club will no longer provide paper tickets. All ticket purchases will be fulfilled as a QR code embedded into the booking confirmation email received by the purchase owner, one QR code per ticket. You will be required to scan the QR code at The Cloud County Ground to gain entry, as it will act as your ticket.
Q: What happens if I buy a Vitality Blast ticket for a match that is scheduled for after 21 June, but the lifting of restrictions is delayed?
In the event of a match being played behind closed doors due to COVID-19, Essex Cricket will provide a full refund of ticket(s) affected to the payment owner. Refunds will be made back to the original payment card wherever possible. If this is not possible (for example sales made by other means) the purchase owner will contacted by the Club.
In the event of a match being played with a reduced capacity due to COVID-19, Essex Cricket will prioritise tickets purchased in chronological order up to the maximum capacity possible. All ticket holders will be contacted with further details if this is necessary. Any ticket holder who can no longer be accommodated will receive a full refund. Refunds will be made back to the original payment card wherever possible. If this is not possible (for example sales made by other means) the purchase owner will contacted by the Club.
Q: If the lifting of restrictions is delayed and I can’t attend, when will I be told?
Any operational change to the event will be communicated to the named ticket purchase owner via email. Due to the nature of the pandemic guidelines may change quickly and Essex Cricket will act as swiftly as possible to inform ticket holders of any change.
Q: What happens if I have tickets but either get COVID-19 or have to self-isolate during the dates of the game?
You must not attend any match under any circumstances if you are suffering with COVID-19, self-isolating, shielding or suspect you may have COVID-19
It was an incredible end to an incredible opening win at The Cloudfm County Ground as Essex defeated Durham by 44 runs on Sunday morning. One man who is never far from the action is Simon Harmer and his match figures of 10/136 once again showed his quality with the ball.
Harmy spoke after helping secure the win and was quick to share the praise across the whole team after key performances from Paul Walter and Sam Cook, plus most notably Ben Allison who struck a vital half-century in just his second Championship game for the Club.
The team now head to Edgbaston on Thursday in the LV= Insurance County Championship where Warwickshire await fresh from their win over Nottinghamshire.
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